Family farm holidays in Cornwall magical for children, toddlers and babies.
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Coombe Mill Blog
"Tales from the farmers wife" shares the funny and interesting happenings on our lovely holiday farm with Farmer Nick and our 6 children. A behind the scenes look on balancing family, farming, the holiday business and cooking for all.
November 2020 Farm News
November 2020 holiday activities just passed including a COVID safe Halloween and activities for November onwards. ... Read More
I hope you have made it through the January Blues and beginning to see the first signs of spring. Here on the farm the snowdrops are blooming and the daffodils coming through. Our little micro valley climate always seems to be one step ahead when it comes to spring. Sunset is now after 5pm and lengthening literally by the day. If you need a little break to see you through to summer we may just have the answer. Read on for more on the past month on the farm and February events in Cornwall if you are heading our way for a winter break.
Lowest Prices and Short breaks you can’t refuse
Our price list prices are now into their 3rd year with no rise and short breaks are available throughout the February half term week. Give the family an instant winter pick me up with a bargain short break on the dates you choose. Whether you have warm and wet weather or cold and dry there is plenty to do and the farm animals will be thrilled to see you.
Valentine’s Day gift card
Don’t be stuck for a good idea on the 14th. Treat the family to a Coombe Mill gift card. Available for £50 and up, you can use it straight away for half term or look further ahead in the year.
Get summer ready
If it is a summer holiday you really want but just don’t have the spare days to take off or the funds for a summer week, we have kept our short breaks running to the last week of June. Don’t just dream of summer, book it.
All change on the train
The train track came up after October half term and Farmer Nick has been busy relaying it alongside the lodge pathway. Weather permitting; we are hoping to have it running in time for this coming half term. The old lodges Tiddy and Tamar down by the river are going to be the new engine shed. It gives a lot more space and height than the old tunnel and I’m already super excited to decorate it for Halloween and Christmas this year.
A magic touch for the fairy garden
The winter is never kind to the fairy garden, but because we know it is so popular with the children we have invested in some trinkets for the new season. I’ve also been getting creative repainting the stones to keep the magic alive for all who visit.
Each year we donate our sheep and Alpaca fleece to a local crafter who turns them into the most creative and usual items to sell at country fairs. I was late having them collected this year but rewarded instantly with these gorgeous Christmas decorations. I will leave them on display in the shop in case anyone wants to order some. Last year’s fleece handbags were extremely popular with our holiday guests.
On the farm
We have been working hard to move the animals round the grazing fields and eek out the hay to see us through to spring. The long dry spell in January was perfect for the animals, they had a real chance to dry out and enjoy time outdoors instead of in their shelters. It is the goats and alpaca especially who dislike the rain in their coats.
Nb: I have not been paid or sponsored to mention these places, they are just the February Events in Cornwall 2020 that I feel would be of interest to Coombe Mill Guests.
After a quiet January we are looking forward to welcoming you to the farm for the coming season.
The Planet we live in really is an extraordinary place. From what nature began to what we evolved, there are some quirky places out there just waiting to be discovered. Hidden Wonders by Lonely Planet kids is a guide to the planet’s wildest, weirdest places. Jump on board to discover more and for your chance to win this book for budding tween adventurers along with a fun and challenging promotional jigsaw.
About Hidden Wonders
Stand in the soft sand at Playa de Gulpiyuri in Spain and you’d think you were on a beach at the water’s edge. In fact you’d be in the middle of a field! A sink hole has been flooded with water via a tunnel from the Cantabrian Sea to create this amazing feature. This is just one of 150 exciting discoveries in the book.
What we Love
Expect the unexpected when it comes to places and things featured in the book.
Discover the origins of the amazing places including, folk law, myths and legends.
Photographs of every place bring the locations to life.
Hidden Wonders is perfectly written with just enough detail for 9 to 12 year olds.
Need to Know
Age suitability
9 – 11 years
RSP
£14.99
Author
Nicole Maggi
Stockists
Lonely Planet Kids on line shop, Amazon,
Product specification
Hardback
240 pages
Full colour
240mm x 185mm
Publisher
Lonely Planet Kids
ISBN
9781788683258
Taster video of the Hidden Wonders Book
Hidden Wonders Jigsaw
For a great way to keep your tween off their phone, try this challenging promotional jigsaw. The tiny pieces and complex front cover design will keep all the family busy. I’m not saying how long it took us, but it was pleasantly addictive to try and solve.
Win your copy of the Hidden Wonders Book and Jigsaw with Lonely Planet Kids and Coombe Mill
For your chance to discover the strange and wondrous places highlighted in the book and the fun to make jigsaw, simply follow the instructions below. Good luck to all taking part.
We were sent a copy of the book and jigsaw for the purpose of this review, however all thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own. Our copy of the book and jigsaw is available to borrow from the Coombe Mill Games Room for our holiday guests.
Faced with a classroom sized amount of children and a Friday afternoon with a storm weather warning, I knew I was going to have to full something fun out of my creativity room. I wanted the families to have their holiday end on a high despite the weather and came up with 3 very different wet weather crafts I knew the kids would enjoy. A team Junk Model challenge, Kite making and fly and Friendship bracelets.
Junk Model challenge
This is a great activity to begin or end a session with children. It brings out their competitive side, creativity and logical thinking. I simply tipped a pile of recycled bottles from our recycling bins onto the table, split the group into two teams, gave each a small real of tape and 10 minutes to think up and build the highest tower they could. The parents couldn’t help but get involved too and it turned into a real family challenge on the two weeks I ran this activity.
Kite Making
When the storms are forecast kite making is a great one to make the most of the wind. I pre-cut squares of fabric from and old duvet cover for everyone and collected bamboo canes from our den building zone. The children had to secure the canes into a cross with string then colour their kite to their chosen design. My stash of loom banks came in handy to secure the fabric to each corner of bamboo cane while floristry ribbon made the tail.
Thankfully the rain stopped enough for the children to get outside and race with their kites. Our valley location isn’t ideal for picking up the best of the wind, but it gave the children the run around time they needed and a lot of laughs.
These are a great time filler and popular with both boys and girls. I had pre-threaded animal buttons with lengths different coloured wool and the children each chose one. They could twist or plait the wool to create their very own friendship bracelets. It had them totally absorbed while the rain pattered down outside.
These crafts made a perfect end to the holiday and even gave us a little outdoor time on a stormy day.
In the run up to Christmas we shared some wonderful seasonal Gifts from ASDA Photo, you liked them so much we are back with a new line up made especially for Valentine’s Day. Show that someone special in your life how you care with a personalised gift. A picture tells a thousand words, share yours on an amazing choice of great ASDA household items.
If this sounds like the answer to your Valentine’s Day gift worries, read on to discover the range available, and for your chance to WIN £35 to spend on your choice of products in the ASDA photo range.
Check out our handy ASDA Photo Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
ASDA Photo Product
Price From
Description
Example Image
Sequin Reveal Cushion
£16.00
Keep that special memory in your home with a beautiful personalised sequin reveal cushion. Add photos and words onto one side of the cushion, then brush the two way sequins to reveal your chosen design. A clever and thoughtful gift.
Personalised Mugs
£8.00
Create that romantic Valentine’s morning with a surprise cuppa in a personaised mug. Choose from the wide range including ceramic, porcelain, latte, and the travel mug, there is one just right for everyone’s morning routine.
Personalised Cards
£1.90
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to break the bank, choose your own message and photo on a very special card at a bargain price.
Photo Blanket
£28.00
Curl up on winter evenings with your loved one and your own special valentine’s blanket printed with a special photo memory. A moment in time to relive together.
Keyrings
£4.50
Asda photo Personalised key rings are a little gift for your loved one to use day in day out. Another great reason to never lose your keys again!
Photo Magnets
£1.00
What a bargain! At this price you can cover your fridge with all your favorite romantic moments.
Canvas Prints
£12.00
For something to display on the wall and turn to day after day, why not choose a canvas print of your favourite photo? These are available in a range of sizes and designs including collage and retro prints.
Photo Books
£3.00
From a Wedding Day album to a dream holiday, the ASDA Photo book would make a wonderful keepsake this Valentine’s Day.
Phone Cases
£12.00
Nothing is with us in the modern era more than our phone. Make your loved one’s case special with a besoke design printed on an ASDA photo case.
Retro Photos
25p
A perfect way to show you care this Valentine’s Day for just pence. Have your favourite photos together made retro looking with your choice of message and slip them inside a card.
Win a £35 Voucher towards any of the above with ASDA Photo and Coombe Mill
If you fancy making Valentine’s Day special with one or more of these thoughtful photo gifts, simply follow the instructions below. A voucher code will be sent to the winner. No cash change is available, though the winner can top up the voucher themselves to use the full £35 worth on any products from the range.
First of all, a very Happy New Year to you and your family. I’m sure for you, as for us, the Christmas decorations are down, the children are going back to school and we are optimistic for the possibilities of a new decade. I hope you can take a minute to glance through the month past here on the farm, our plans ahead for the forthcoming season and of course a guide to the Cornish Events january 2020 if you are in the area.
Thinking ahead to a weekend break?
Because the pennies are tight after Christmas, but everyone fancies a few nights away, we have the perfect offer for you. A little something from us for you to look forward too over the coming months:
To book this great deal simply place your booking on line and write Jan2020 deal in special instructions before you pay and I will add a discount to change the price for you to reflect the £250 stated.
Optional extra charges still apply.
Coombe Mill properties only.
Excludes 15 – 22nd February.
March is the start of lambing for us and a wonderful time to be on the farm.
A look back at Our Christmas Fun
Christmas is always a wonderful time here at Coombe Mill. It is a chance for parents to escape the usual Christmas rush and chill out in our beautiful rural surroundings while excitement builds for the children. Christmas Eve saw us treat the children to some fun crafts with snow globe making and mince pie baking.
For those who enjoy a children’s Church service St Tudy Village did us proud with a delightful Christingle finished off with Santa on his sleigh
We followed this up with a party for all the family in the games room. No Christmas Eve party would be complete without a visit from Santa who managed to hot foot it back on his sleigh from St Tudy. Sat in our purpose made Grotto he delighted the children with a few wise words and a gift for all.
Christmas Day saw us enjoy a very relaxed 10 o’clock start for the Feed run with Santa Nick and a glorious sunny day.
We were like tourists on our own doorstep over the Christmas period and joined many of our guests with a stroll around Padstow enjoying Cornish pasties and some lovely coastal walks. We are in such a perfect location to make th4e most of the coast any time of the year.
If you fancy all this for Christmas 2020, the activities are all included in the price of your stay.
Just in case you are taking us up on our great £250 deal for January. Here’s a look ahead to some of the things we have going on locally in Cornwall.
Nb: I have not been paid or sponsored to mention these places, they are just the Cornish Events January 2020 that I feel would be of interest to Coombe Mill Guests.
Wishing you and your family a very prosperous 2020 and as ever hoping to see you here on the farm
“Tales from the farmers wife” shares life on our lovely holiday farm with Farmer Nick and our 6 children. Step into our beautiful 30 acres and experience nature close up with farming and educational crafts in stunning North Cornwall. Family, fun and adventure start here.
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